Gratitude and hope

Light in the darkness

Dec 09, 2024

Dear Uplift readers,

It’s been a while since I wrote a classic Uplift to you - this is the first since July. As I navigated a challenging time, I kept things ticking with some fabulous life advice editions - from Donna Lancaster, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, Sally Abé, Melissa Hemsley and Marianne Power. I am so grateful to those wonderful women and hope you took something from their wise words. As a New Year approaches, I feel like I am coming out the other side of a tricky period and it feels good to be writing to you again.

One thing that inspired me to write was someone in a Brighton sea swimming WhatsApp group sharing these two beautiful photos. Thank you to Carrie Petitt for giving me permission to share them.

I live five minutes walk from the sea and when I feel heavy or stuck, it really helps to just go to sea. I haven’t done as much sea swimming as last Winter but I plan to make the most of my final month in this home and swim in, sit by, or walk along the sea as much as possible whatever the weather.

In the past week, I have twice savoured the starling murmurations at the pier at sunset. I learnt that the starlings do these breathtaking movements - because they are dancing and because they enjoy it. I am so in awe of nature and so grateful to live in Brighton. Here’s a little snippet.

Also, the photo at the top of this newsletter shows a stunning rainbow cloud I spotted above the sea this week. Where are the places you go when you need to shift your energy or emotions? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Things That Have Brought Me Joy

Sophie Howarth’s Lighting The Dark advent calendar - you can still sign up here
An EFT and reiki session with the multi-talented Jess Nicks
This epic Christmas special at my favourite brunch spot Moksha Caffe (extra hash brown on the side too!)
Singing Christmas carols and enjoying my first mince pie of the season with my pal Sarah Weiler at the Friends of Queen’s Park carols
Mulled wine, more mince pies and singing with friends the next evening
The Grief Space workshop with Donna Lancaster. Donna and Gabi Krueger are running an awakening retreat in January. I cannot recommend Donna and Gabi enough.
Happiness circles run by the amazing Vicky Johnson, founder of Museum of Happiness.
Gratitude pratice with my friends Leasa and Aurora.